The #1 Secret to Traveling Cheap: Why Packing Light Saves You Hundreds
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know I’m a hardcore budget traveler—especially in the early years when I first started traveling solo.
Back in 2013, for example, I spent two weeks in Europe with just MYR 1000 (about USD 250) in my pocket.
Even now, when I’m not as broke as I used to be, I still try to keep my travel expenses as low as possible.
So, what’s my secret?
No, it’s not finding cheap flight tickets.
It’s not hunting for the lowest-cost accommodations either.
Sure, those things help—but there’s one overlooked secret to budget travel that can make the biggest difference:
Packing light.
That’s right. You can save a ton of money — and a lot of stress — if you don’t bring your entire home with you.
Here are snapshots of what I usually carry with me, no matter how long the trip:
2018. Two weeks across Europe (Kuala Lumpur – Berlin – Vilnius – Riga – Liepaja – Tallinn – St. Petersburg – Moscow – Irkutsk – Beijing – Kuala Lumpur)
2019. Three weeks in East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda)
If you want to travel cheaply, efficiently, and freely, packing light is the single most important skill you need to master.
NOTE: This guide is for those who are serious about budget travel. If you favor comfort and style over cost, this might not be for you.
Affiliate disclosure
Some links in this post are affiliate links, including Amazon Associates and other programs. That means if you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
4 ways packing light saves you money
1. You can fly budget airlines
In the past, traveling by plane was only for the uber-rich. Today, budget airlines have narrowed the gap. In fact, flying is sometimes cheaper than taking a bus or train.
In Europe for instance, you can get from one country to another for as low as just a few euros on a budget airline, while a train ride for the same journey can cost five times as much.
But. There’s a catch.
Most budget airlines have VERY strict rules regarding the size of your carry-on luggage. For example, Ryanair only allows one cabin bag per person, not exceeding 40 cm x 30 cm x 20 cm.
If you’re caught with a larger carry-on, you’ll have to pay a penalty that may cost more than your flight ticket.
Another option is to prepay online to check in your luggage. The fee is usually small, but it’s still money and can easily add up if you’re taking multiple flights during your trip.
So, to take full advantage of budget airlines, make sure you pack light.
2. You can stay in hostels
Staying in dormitory-style hostels can save you a lot of money, especially if you’re traveling alone in expensive regions like Western Europe.
However, this isn’t always practical if you’re carrying large suitcases. Since you’ll be sharing the room with others (sometimes more than 10 people), space can be very limited.
Lockers are often too small for suitcases or large backpacks, and some hostels don’t even provide lockers at all. You may end up leaving your belongings on the floor, which can inconvenience other guests.
Plus, most hostels aren’t equipped with elevators, so you’ll have to carry your luggage up the stairs.
Related post: How to Survive Your First Time in a Hostel
3. You can save on transportation costs
If you’re carrying large backpacks or suitcases, you’ll likely have no choice but to take taxis or rent a car to get around.
Public buses or tuk-tuks can be extremely uncomfortable—if not impossible—with bulky luggage. And we all know taxis aren’t the cheapest option.
Most long-distance buses have luggage compartments underneath, but these aren’t always safe, as anyone, including drivers and other passengers, may have access to them.
If you travel with just a small backpack like I do, you’ll have much more freedom. Depending on the distance, you can even walk or cycle to your next destination.
I once walked 240 kilometers from Portugal to Spain, and I don’t think that would have been possible with a suitcase.
4. You can avoid storage fees
Let’s say your flight home is late at night., but your hotel checkout is in the morning. You’ve got the whole day, and no desire to spend it stuck at the airport. You want to explore, maybe grab some last-minute souvenirs.
But with a large suitcase, you can’t exactly roam freely. You could leave it at the hotel (if they allow it) or rent a locker, but neither is ideal. Storage isn’t always available or secure, and lockers cost money, if you can even find one big enough.
Worst case, you might have to book an extra night just to store your bags.
Other benefits of packing light
- It doesn’t draw attention. When people see you carrying huge bags or suitcases, it sends a few signals: 1. You’re a tourist, and potentially clueless and vulnerable. 2. You likely have money (and valuables worth stealing). 3. You can’t move quickly and probably won’t chase after them if something happens. Smaller bags make you far less of a target.
- It’s easier to keep track of your stuff. With fewer items, it’s much simpler to keep an eye on your essentials and valuables.
- It gives you more freedom. Traveling light makes spontaneous exploration easier. You don’t have to worry about storage, transport, or whether your bag will slow you down.
- It gives you more space for souvenirs. Even if you don’t love shopping, you’ll probably want to bring something home—if not for yourself, then for others. It can be frustrating to find something you like but have no space left, simply because you packed too many clothes you didn’t even wear.
Final thoughts: why packing light is a game-changer
Packing light may seem like a small detail. You might think that as long as you’re willing to carry the load, there’s no harm in bringing everything you want.
But as you can see, it affects far more than just convenience—it directly impacts your travel budget and the options available to you.
Packing light is what gives you access to cheaper choices like budget airlines, hostels, and public transport. Without it, those savings start to disappear.
After all, what’s the point of finding a cheap flight if you’re going to spend hundreds on luggage fees?
So, if you’re serious about budget travel, mastering the art of packing light should be your #1 priority.
If you found this helpful, check out the rest of my blog for more travel tips and stories to help you make the most of your trips.
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Masa mengemas nak travel tu memang semua seems important, kan? Tapi, usually end up tak guna pun (especially clothes) 😂travel light comes with experience, I would say..hehe
Setuju, Edahyu. Travel light memang comes with experience. Bila dah biasa packing, kita tau apa yang perlu, apa yang tak. Bagi yang newbie atau yang jarang travel, mungkin mereka tak kisah bwk beg berat2. Atau mungkin mereka tak sedar betapa bebasnya rasa bila tak bawak barang banyak.
This is such a great sharing, thanks for the tips! I miss travelling and have to cancel our family plan to Indonesia this year due to Covid. Hopefully 2021 can be better right 💪🏻❤️
You’re welcome, Qeela! Sorry to hear about your cancelled trip. I had to cancel several of mine too, but thankfully didn’t lose any money in the process. Yes, let’s hope 2021 will be better for everyone.
Thanks for your great tips for saving money while travel. I wish I could pack lightly too but I always bring a lot of stuff
You’re welcome, Rane. I used to be the same too, but with practice and experience, I got better at it, and it totally changed my travel experience for the better.
u pergi tanzania ? wow ! how was it ? bestnya.. and i agree with all listed secrets too ! i am doing the same. org tnya how u can go japan 3 times a year? i ckp benda yg sama…. 🙂
Good for you, Atie! I would say this is a secret that hides in plain sight. Many people don’t realize how packing light can reduce so much in expenses. Tanzania is a beautiful country, but unfortunately, it rained for the most part of my stay. Still quite enjoyable though. 🙂
this is clearly not for me since I have soooo many things to consider if I wanna go travel hehe
That’s how I used to think too, Farhana. But once I knew how liberating it felt to travel light, there was no turning back. 😀
Oh dear. I am not your best travel companion then. Even for an overnight stay at a friend’s will make me pack a home! I am the type of the person that will always overthink about things that will make me overpack – every single time to anywhere!
I BOW TO YOU LIGHT- TRAVEL QUEEN!
Hahaha, as long as you’re happy, Rawlins, you do you! I’m just too lazy to carry all that load with me. 😛
such a giod sharing. but i am curious what in your backpack. 3 weeks with just 1 bag. i staycation pun kadnag bawak 2 bag hahahahha
Hahaha, ok nanti saya share apa yang saya pack dalam tu, ya. Stay tuned! 😉
Im used to travel light too but I keep them in carry on luggage . Next time I will just carry bag pack the way you did. Awesome tip
Thanks, Kak Su. I always find backpacks easier, because I move about a lot and use public transports all the time. A suitcase would only hinder my movement. Anyway, all the best for your future travels! 🙂
Nice sharing ummi. Packing light tips tu bagus tapi untuk i susah sikit .. Kalau beg ringan, i mesti rasa ada barang yang tertinggal hehe. Hope lepas ni kalau travel i dapat kurangkan beg load
Thank you, Fafa. Takpe, boleh cuba slow2. Nanti kalau dah biasa packing light, mesti Fafa dah taknak dah bawak barang banyak2. 🙂
Ypu know Ummi, Sis kalau travel ke luar negara semua di uruskan partner travel Sis, dari flight hotel belanja semuanya…dan tiap kali pergi dengannya semuanya low budget, entah macam mana entah dia urus, memang puashati.. patut thn ni Sis ke Jepun, pun dapat tiket semua murah.. tup-tup Covid huhuhu…
Oh kalau saya memang suka bab2 planning ni. Pada saya itu sebahagian daripada kesoronokan travel. Sebab masa kita research dan booking semua tu, kita dah boleh start berangan. Hehe. Dan rasa excited tu akan build up sampai la ke hari kita travel. Yang paling penting, kita bebas nak plan itinerary kita sendiri ikut citarasa kita. Saya memang tak boleh la kalau orang lain yg tolong plan. Anyway, hopefully keadaan cepat la pulih. Nanti sis boleh la proceed dgn trip ke Jepun yang tertangguh tu.
Wow! Great to hear you spend minimal amount during vacation… salute u for travelling light… dont think cld do that… however young travellers shld follow this advice – travel light.
Thanks, Kak Fas. Yes, this would probably be better suited for young travelers trying to cut down their expenses, but that’s not to say that I haven’t seen older travelers who choose to travel this way. I think packing light would benefit everybody, regardless of age or budget 🙂
Tq share tips. Kagum dengan Ummi sebab K.Sal kan kalau balik kg je tudiaa..beg macam nak duduk terus..huhuhu.
Hahaha, thank you Kak Sal. Tapi kalau balik kampung lain kot, sebab mesti kita nak bawak balik buah tangan untuk orang2 kampung, kan? Teringat masa saya duk asrama dulu. Setiap kali balik kampung memang angkut 2, 3 beg. Tapi semua berisi baju kotor. Pemalas betul, duduk asrama tapi baju still nak mak basuhkan 😆
Cool tips….but i no longer stay at hostel.. Lol… Awkward because i dengkur if too tired… London was my last trip staying at hostel, i keluar awal2 pagi, balik lewat malam after everyone dah tdo.. Hahaha..
Hahaha so kesian you, Kitkat. Ya, staying in hostels is probably not a good option for snorers, out of consideration for other guests. But there are still other options if you want to keep your expenses low, and packing light sure helps you with that!
ah, this reminds me of all my backpacking days across the world dulu. your tips are spot on!
Thank you, Grace! You’re no longer backpacking across the world? I started almost a decade ago, and would still have been at it if not because of Covid. 🙁 Will hop on the first plane out of the country once it’s safe again to travel.
That is a nice tips for a solo traveler right? It will be great if I can pack as light as you can do. Hihi
Thanks, Shamiera. Yes, this is beneficial for solo travelers especially those who travel on a budget. But don’t worry, it comes with practice. I will be posting tips on how to pack light soon, so stay tuned! 🙂
I suka baca perkongsian terutama dalam kita nak bercuti tapi ada bajet tersendiri. Thanks sharing
Sama-sama, Ayu. Tak semua kita yang suka travel ni orang kaya. Dan kalau tak kaya, tak semestinya tak boleh travel. Semoga info ni bermanfaat untuk Ayu. 🙂
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